“Now Master, You are releasing Your slave in peace, According to Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT FOR REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And for the glory of Your people Israel.”
Luke 2:29-32 (LSB)
Trusting God, Mary and Joseph waited for the Promised Son.
Waiting, their trust grew as Mary’s body grew.
Trusting and waiting for the Promise, they traveled 80 miles.
From Nazareth to Bethlehem, trusting and waiting.
No room for them, but trusting, they laid Him in a manger.
Waiting and trusting that night.
Shepherds visited and rejoiced in the Promised Messiah.
Glory to God in the Highest, peace on earth.
Trusting and waiting for their Promised Son to bring salvation.
Trusting and waiting, Mary and Joseph consecrate Jesus to His Father.
Trusting and waiting, Simeon holds the Promise and rejoices.
Trusting and waiting, Anna beholds the Promise and proclaims redemption.
Trusting and waiting on God leads us into the presence of the Promise.
Trusting and waiting on God leads us into the presence of the Promise.
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When the days for purification came, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord. The Old Testament law required that the firstborn male be dedicated to the Lord.
The parents were to offer a lamb and a pigeon as a sacrifice. However, if the couple was very poor, two turtledoves could be offered instead. Mary and Joseph offered two turtledoves, for they were very poor.
In the temple, they met Simeon. Tradition says that Simeon was 113 years old. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he beheld the Messiah.
A poor carpenter, a young woman, and a baby entered the temple. The Holy Spirit led Simeon into the temple, and he took the baby into his arms.
“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
Luke 2:29-32 (ESV)
Salvation for all people. A Light to the Gentiles. Glory to Israel.
“Joseph, there’s the prophetess, Anna. She’s a widow, you know. She was only married for seven years before her husband died.”
Eighty-four-year-old Anna devoted herself to fasting and worshipping God day and night in the temple.
“Mary, she’s coming towards us.”
“She [Anna] came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.“
Luke 2:38 (NLT)
Praising God. Proclaiming Jesus.
Prophesying Redemption.
Years of waiting for the Promise. Instantaneous praise and proclamation at the sight of the Messiah.
Trusting and waiting lead the Christian walk.
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Glorious Lord, Your ways are not our ways. Your ways are astounding. You take the poor, the old, the young, the lowly and You bless them abundantly. Teach us to see the blessing and glory in the unlikely. Amen.
Reflections
- Read Luke 2:22-35. What is revealed about God in this Scripture? What is revealed about Simeon?
- Read Luke 2:36-38. What is revealed about Anna?
- How will you meditate on these Scriptures as you prepare to celebrate Christmas?
Free Devotional
Behold Our Savior … 31 Reflections
How are you showing God your trust as you wait upon Him?
Featured photo: Rembrandt in the Public Domain
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